Reactor Shut Down At Oconee Nuclear Station

JEFFREY COLLINS, Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A nuclear power plant in Oconee County had to shut down one of its three reactors after a problem in the water system that helps generate electricity. Federal regulators said Unit 3 at the Oconee Nuclear Station near Seneca was manually shut down by Duke Energy around 6 a.m. Thursday, about four minutes after the problem was detected.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman Roger Hannah says a control valve in the plant's water system caused changes in the flow of water In the system that generates steam to turn the turbines and create power. Engineers shut down the reactor before it was automatically turned off. Hannah says when Duke Energy fixes the valve, the reactor should be ready to be brought back online. He says there was never any public danger.